Agenda item

Hedd Vaughan-Evans (Head of Operations) to present the report.

1.     To consider and note the Quarter 3 Performance Report and updated Portfolio Risk Register.

2.     To approve the submission of the Quarter 3 Performance Report to Welsh Government and UK Government as well as the local authority scrutiny committees.

The report was submitted by the Head of Operations with support from the Digital Programme Manager, Land and Property Programme Manager and the Energy Programme Manager.

RESOLVED

1.     To consider and note the Quarter 3 Performance Report and updated Portfolio Risk Register.

2.     To approve the submission of the Quarter 3 Performance Report to Welsh Government and UK Government as well as the local authority scrutiny committees.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

⁠Quarterly reporting on progress against the North Wales Growth Deal is one of the requirements of the Final Deal Agreement. ⁠Following consideration by the NWEAB, the reports would be shared with the Welsh Government, UK Government and the local authority scrutiny committees.

DISCUSSION

There was a presentation on a number of Quarter 3 highlights including:

It was reported that a Gateway 2 review for the '4G+' Key Sites and Connected Corridors project had been carried out in November with inspectors providing an 'Amber-Green' assessment with several recommendations as usual. It was noted that the Digital Programme Manager was working to address these recommendations before submitting the outline business case for consideration by the Portfolio Board and the Economic Ambition Board this year.

It was explained that three Shared Prosperity Fund projects were due to run this year so that Local Authorities could find ways to improve 4G mobile coverage in their regions. It was noted that the work also offered support for local businesses to understand options for adopting new digital technologies for the future.

It was discussed that a number of outline business cases were currently underway and the full business cases would be submitted to the Board when timely.

Pride was shown that two new members of staff had been appointed to assist as Energy Project Officer and Energy Project Manager. These appointments would help to ensure projects continued to be delivered in a timely manner.

An update was provided on a number of Land and Property projects including Warren Hall, Western Gateway, Holyhead Gate, Parc Bryn Cegin, Kinmel Studios and Wrexham Gateway.

It was recognised that planning issues remained a significant risk to Agri-food and Tourism projects at the moment. It was also noted that a Task and Finish group had been set up to examine the agriculture and horticulture gap in the Growth Deal. It was explained that they had commissioned research looking at food supply and demand in the region through collaboration with Local Authorities and the Welsh Government.

Reference was made to the Portfolio Risk Register stating that the risk of the Economic Context had increased this quarter. It was explained that the risk had been updated following the wars in the Middle East at present, as it could affect the costs of supplying goods. It was also explained that Delay risk had reduced this quarter as a number of outline and full business cases had been approved by the Board. Despite this, it was noted, that it was still a significant risk and was being overseen.

Following a question about a project it was highlighted that it was necessary to refer to commercially sensitive information in order to provide an answer. On legal advice it was proposed and seconded to remain closed for this particular aspect and it was agreed to approve the decisions sought.